Paige's First Day of Kindergarten

I'm a day late in putting up this blog.  Yesterday was Paige's first day of Kindergarten and it was a huge success.  She has been asking to go to school for over a year and yesterday was her big day.


Paige woke up excited and ready to go.  She quickly got dressed, put on her backpack and then refused to pose for any pictures (she is claiming she is "camera shy" but I just call it attitude).  Here is my best shot at the house:

So I loaded up the car with the kids and headed to daycare.  I took a few hours off of work so I could walk her to the bus stop and see her off.  Here are a few pictures...

Ian with his daycare "girlfriends" ready for their ride to the bus

Another attempt at getting a good picture of Paige

The sneak attack photo is the best one I got of  her at the bus stop

While the kids wait for the bus, Mrs. Glenda (daycare provider) brought out a jump rope and they all took turns.  When the bus came around the corner everyone yelled, "BUS!"  The next think I knew Paige was putting on her backpack, standing in line and then getting on the bus.  There was no hug, no kiss, nothing.  She held hands with Anna, a girl from daycare, and off she went.  I called out to her and she briefly looked over her shoulder and said, "Bye Mom," with a slight wave over her shoulder.  I was shocked and SO PROUD.  My little girl was off to Kindergarten like a big girl.

Paige putting on her backpack - all Kindergartner's have a yellow bus tag

A quick look over her shoulder and she was off

There she goes - my BIG girl

I went off to work (after a quick stop at Safeway to get water for the pending hurricane but more on that later) so excited for her.  I tried to image what she was doing and how she felt.  Once I got to work a few people told me I should leave a bit early and surprise her at the bus when she got off.  I couldn't resist so I jumped in my car at the end of the day and raced to the bus stop.  Here is what I saw...

Paige coming off the bus

Her surprised look when she saw me

Paige was so happy to see me, but when I asked her about her day she didn't want to tell me.  She said she couldn't remember.  Then she strutted off down the road with the other school kids.  You could see a new confidence in her walk!  After a snack with all of her daycare friends we headed home.  She still didn't want to tell me about her day until right before dinner and here is what I was able to get out of her:

• She got to sit in her assigned seat
• They did math with blocks and links that they made into necklaces
• There as a story time with two stories
• She colored a picture of a Mom
• Her class went to the gym and the teacher called her, "a nice young lady" which Paige responded, "My name is Paige."
• She ate all of her lunch and her snack
• She had computer work with a boy name William who apparently is "really good" on the computer
• She raised her hand to ask questions, but couldn't remember what she asked
• When asked what was her favorite part of the day was when I put her to bed she screamed with joy, "EVERYTHING"

I cannot wait to hear about her second day on Tuesday.  I'm so very proud of her.

So now a quick note on Hurricane Irene.  As of right now she should be arriving East of Ocean City, MD tomorrow afternoon.  In our area we should have tropical storm strength winds, lots of rain and flooding.  We have gotten all the supplies we need to ride out the storm and be fine for several days if we get flooded in.  The most nerve racking part is what will happen after...will be have power (most likely not), will the yard flood (most likely yes), will the house flood (we really don't think it is possible), will we ever get out of Shady Side (most likely in a few days).  James and I have decided to make any final decisions tomorrow morning after my 12 mile run and the weather people can give us a more definite answer on what is going to happen.  I will do my best to keep everyone posted on my blog as long as we have power, but you can also find me on Facebook (Amanda Rosinack Benson) where I will be able to post from my phone.  Wish us luck!

Lastly, to end on a high note, I have reached the fundraising goal of $1,500.00 set by Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure.  I'm cannot thank everyone enough for their support and donations.  Because I have reached the goal and the race is still 65 days away I have reset my goal to $2,000.00.  This will beat the amount I raised last year!  If you would like to make a donation click here and visit my fundraising page.  For anyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write your name on my marathon day shirt.

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B.

George S.

Don & Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.

Ada M.

The Buckner Family

The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

The Perret Family

The Pollitz Family

The Dunham Family

The Harris Family

What a day....

I don't think more could have happened today!  There was already a lot planned but then there was a ground shaking surprise...


I started my day with a 6 mile run just after 5:30AM.  It was still dark out when I started so I enjoyed the sun rise as well and the peace and quite.  I have come to enjoy running without my iPod so I can clear my head and listen to nature.

Mile 3 of my run this morning

Next I got the kids up (they got to sleep in this morning) and after I dropped Ian off at daycare Paige and I went to meet her Kindergarten teacher.  It was a 20 minute meeting which consisted of me learning her bus number, finding out I have more paperwork to fill out by Thursday her first day of school, answer a bunch of questions I feel I already answered when I registered her and received Paige's first homework assignment...all the while Paige played in the room.  I'm excited to help Paige with her homework as she has a blank square of paper that she will fill with pictures and words that describe her so her classmates can learn more about her.  (Since it is 8PM and we just finished dinner we will do the homework tomorrow night.)


After the meeting Paige and I came home to spend some special time together.  We played baseball in the front yard, have nachos for lunch (Paige's choice) and then headed to the park.  Paige swang for a bit then we headed down to the water so she could play in the sand.  As I read I began to feel the bench shake and realizing that a big truck had not just passed the park I know right away what was happending...EARTHQUAKE.  As a few other thoughts went through my head, the quake entensified and the ground really started to roll and shake. Now, I have been in several earthquake before having grown up in California, but not expecting one in Maryland and being outside, which I have never expereienced before, I got very scared.  I quickly jumped up, was knocked right back down onto the bench, and called Paige to come over to me away from the water as I saw terror cross her face.  She had a little trouble getting to me, stumbling a bit due to the shaking but was making more progress than I did being lower to the ground.  Once it stopped I calmed her down, took a few deep breaths and noticed the neighbors starting to come out of their houses.  Some asked me if I knew what happened and when I told them it was an earthquake they were shocked.  We headed home to see if there was any damage to the house.  Only a few items fell of shelves and a few picture frames fell over, but everything else was fine.


Because the day still wasn't over I quickly rinsed the sand off of Paige and dashed off to her 5 year well visit.  I'm proud to say Paige is 43 inches and 43 pounds falling between the 70-75 percentile for her age.  She received a finger prick to do some blood work (normal stuff) and then got two shots...which required me holding her from behind with her arms in a bear hug and my legs wrapped around hers.


The appointment took 1 1/2 hours as the doctor was running late so we rushed to the gas station...never fails when you are running late the gas light comes one.  I asked James to get Ian since we were not running behind for...you guessed it we still had one more thing to do today...Paige's first soccer practice.   I got Paige home, changed her into her soccer gear, James came home with Ian and we turned around heading back out.  Luckily a few other familes were a few minutes late like us.  Once we pointed out Paige's coach to her and told her it was okay to go she was off and running.  We watched her run, dribble, shoot and play some great skill games.  Paige's team name is the - Rockets!  James also ran in to a faternity brother from Towson who had just moved to the area about a year ago.

Our little soccer player 

On the field

After practice we came home, had dinner and now I need to get the kids to bed.  What a day! I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Fundraising Update - Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure.  I’ve raised $1,425.00 of my $1,500.00 goal!!  If you would like to make a donation click here and visit my fundraising page.  For anyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write your name on my marathon day shirt.

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B.

George S.

Don & Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.

Ada M.

The Buckner Family

The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

The Perret Family

The Pollitz Family

The Dunham Family

The Harris Family

Vacation - Day 5 and 6

Sorry there was no post yesterday to recap Day 5.  The day went by so fast and we were all so tired after.  The girls spent the morning shopping at Fashion Valley Mall for school clothes for Paige and having a birthday lunch for my Mom (Grandma) at CPK (her favorite place for a salad).  James and Ian went to see Greg in La Mesa for lunch. In the afternoon James, Paige, Mom and Dad (Pop Pop) went to the beach while I tried to get Ian down for a nap...I also got to sit outside for a bit to read a few chapters of The Help (so far a GREAT book).

Today was a big day for us - LEGOLAND.  A must for anyone vacationing in Southern California.  The grew for the day was me, James, Paige, Ian, Grandma, Pop Pop, Uncle Matt and Aunt Cheryl - who had flow in the night before to celebrate Grandma's birthday.  Also, my brother is a huge Lego fan so I think he was more excited than the kids for the day ahead!  Not only are there displays of Legos, there are also rides and games.  The best way to share our amazing fun day is through pictures.  I will also try to post some videos once we get back home and settled (there are some really good ones).  Be sure to go all the way to the bottom as there are a few extra pictures from night as well:

Arriving at Legoland

First 'ride' was a slow boat ride through Fairy tales

Grandma and Pop Pop were very excited for the ride

One of the little pigs - everything in this photo is Legos!

The girls (Aunt Cheryl, Paige and me) WON the fire fighter challenge!!!

Ian wasn't to happy about the Lego airplane ride - until it started

Uncle Matt is a happy lion!

There was a special Star Wars section!

How amazing is this!

Paige convinced Aunt Cheryl to ride the Pirate ship a second time.

Paige has earned her driver's license

Paige jousting 

James and Matt - LEVEL 5

San Fran

Legoland was really fun!

A little needle pointing before dinner

Wrestling with Uncle Matt

I hope you all have enjoyed our vacation as much as we have.  We are very sad to be heading home tomorrow morning.  I really wish we could stay another week, or even just another day or two.  It has been so wonderful to spend time with my parents and see the kids have so much fun.  Now I'm off to do a little packing.

Vacation - Day 4

Another fun day in Cali!  Today we went to the San Diego Zoo.  This zoo is the best zoo around!  We spent 4 hours walking up and down the hills looking at the animals.  I didn't get a lot of pictures of the animals, however I did get a lot of pictures of the kids sitting on the animal statues...and that is what you will see a lot of below.

Highlights of the zoo today included
     - Koala bears - there were at least 10 of them eating and climbing around (very rare to see)
     - Seeing the baby giraffe with the four big giraffes having breakfast
     - The elephants - because they are my favorite
     - The lion sitting in the window by itself, of course he kept his back to us the entire time but he was right there
     - All the monkeys, apes, and orangutans

The best part of the day was seeing the kids get so excited about all the animals and spending a wonderful day with my parents.  I loved seeing them holding hands and the pure joy on their faces...the kids too. :)

When we got home the kids, and I, took a 2 hour nap before Jo Ann and Todd came over for dinner.  We had a wonderful meal and it was so great to catch up.  The kids were entertaining as always playing baseball, wrestling and running around.

Now, please enjoy our photos from the zoo today (and yes most of them are of the kids sitting on the animal statues):

Pop Pop & Ian looking at the koalas

Paige watching the giraffes

Ian, James, Grandma, and Pop Pop

Kids on elephant statue

Ian watching the polar bear play

Paige & I on the gorilla statue

Paige & Ian screaming hippo

Grandma & Ian in the petting zoo

James & the kids on a very large lion

My little bugs!

Vacation - Day 3

Happy Birthday James!  How great to be in California to celebrate your birthday.


We had a relaxing day today.  It started with James and I running 5.5 miles (okay that isn't relaxing to most but it is a great way for us to start the day).  At the end of the run we walked over to Pannikin at Flower Hill Promenade to get our morning coffee.


After we got cleaned up, our bathing suites on and covered everyone in sunscreen we headed to Moonlight Beach for a few hours, just the four of us.  Ian wanted nothing to do with the beach today after loving every minute of it yesterday.  He finally warmed up after 40 minutes of me holding him.  Paige took off right for the water, having over come her fear of the water apparently.  While playing in the waves today she got knocked off her feet which at first scared her, but I told her to stand up as I saw the panic look on her face.  After she got up and ran to me, she started laughing telling me it was fun.


Here are a few pictures from the beach today (please keep scrolling down because this was not the end of our day):

Me and Ian at the beach

Ian covering Paige with sand - at her request

Sand angels - only an East Coast girl!

After the beach we ran a few errands and then stopped at Roberto's - my favorite Mexican stand!  James got the fish taco's and I got the chicken.  YUMMY and just as I remembered it - authentic!!

James's fish tacos

As soon as we left Roberto's heading home, to put the kids in the kiddie pool to get the sand off, I saw this in the back seat:

We got home and the kids went crazy in the back yard while James and I relaxed a bit more. Later we cleaned up for dinner.  James and I went to the Market Restaurant in Del Mar, yes just the two of us, to have a date night/birthday dinner.  We had the best meal ever.  I wanted to take my camera out to take pictures of what we had, but it didn't seem appropriate.  Anyone who lives within a 2 hour drive MUST go to this restaurant for dinner!


When we got home we found Ian sitting at the kitchen table with Pop Pop coloring and Grandma upstairs reading to Paige.  The kids, and grandparents, had had a wonderful and fun time.


Tomorrow we head to the San Diego Zoo!!!


Fundraising Update - Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure.  I’ve raised $1,325.00 of my $1,500.00 goal which I’m hoping to reach by September 15th.  If you would like to make a donation click here and visit my fundraising page.  For anyone who donates $50.00 or more I will write your name on my marathon day shirt.

Marathon Shirt Names:

Mom & Dad

Linda B.

George S.

Don & Candace W.

Jo Ann P.

Todd N.
Shannon & Stan K.

Ada M.

The Buckner Family

The Wooley Family

The Wolff Family

The Lemke Family

The Perret Family

The Dunham Family